The Chums of Scranton High at Ice Hockey eBook

“I’ve got an errand over in town, Hugh,
so I’ll break away,” he said hurriedly,
though Hugh could easily guess the real reason for
his departure. “But I want to tell you
I appreciate your kindness, and if in the next hockey
match there’s need of a substitute, and you see
fit to put me in, why, I’ll work my fingers
to the bone to make good, sure I will.”

And Hugh believed it.

CHAPTER XV

WHERE THE SPARKS FLEW

Along about three o’clock that afternoon Hugh,
feeling refreshed, made up his mind he would go for
a walk. There had been no positive change in
the condition of the mother of little Joey. She
was coming along nicely, though, Doctor Cadmus assured
Mrs. Morgan, and would very likely awaken in her proper
senses on the following morning. He was successfully
combating the inclination towards fever, he told the
good lady, and this gave Hugh’s mother considerable
relief.

The boy was a fine little chap. Hugh had already
come to feel a deep interest in him, and had played
for an hour with Joey.

“Why not take him out with you, Hugh, if, as
you say, you’re going for a walk?” asked
his mother.

“I’d like to,” the boy said, “if
you thought he could stand going such a distance as
out to the Cross-roads; for I meant to drop in on
Deacon Winslow. He asked me to come and see him,
and perhaps stay to supper in the bargain, for he
wants to have a good chat with me. And, Mother,
I’ve been meaning to get to know that fine old
man better; there’s something about him that
draws me. He’s got such healthy ideas
about everything, and is an entertaining talker when
it comes to the habits of animals, and the secrets
of all animated nature.”

“Well, I’m sure little Joey would enjoy
the walk. He seems fond of being outdoors, and
has been shut up here since you brought him home.
And if Deacon Winslow urges you both to take supper
with him, there’s no reason why you should decline.
He may fetch you home in his sleigh, if the child
seems tired, and sleepy.”

Hugh decided he would do as his mother suggested.

“Would you like to take a nice long walk out
in the country with me, Joey?” he asked the
little fellow, who had been hovering near by, and
listening to all that was being said.

“I like to walk,” the small chap replied
quickly; “but not all day, like mom and me did.
Mebbe she’ll be awake when we come back, Hugh?”

Each time he had been allowed in the room to see his
mother was when she happened to be in a deep sleep,
and her ravings had ceased; so it was natural for
Joey to conclude she was only making up for lack of
rest.

So, shortly afterwards, the two started forth, the
little fellow with his hand in that of Hugh.
He had come to feel the utmost confidence in this
big boy who, in the time of their distress, had fetched
himself and his poor fainting mother to the nice warm
house, where they seemed to have the nicest things
to eat he could ever remember of seeing.